Classic Asparagus Quiche

This asparagus quiche recipe is a total showstopper! Flaky pastry crust, tender asparagus spears, and a savory cheese filling come…

This asparagus quiche recipe is a total showstopper! Flaky pastry crust, tender asparagus spears, and a savory cheese filling come together for a satisfying and impressive dish.

Asparagus Quiche in pie pan with feta cheese garnish.

The buttery scent of this asparagus quiche recipe in the oven may win you one or two marriage proposals—or at least it will have the neighbors wandering by to snatch up a slice! It’s packed with savory, cozy flavor, perfect for spring brunches or light dinners with a crisp glass of white wine.

Why we love this recipe: This asparagus quiche is worth every second of time for the satisfaction you’ll get from making a quiche from scratch. Plus, it’s easy to make in advance. We served it to guests who went gaga over this one. Come: let’s make quiche!

How to make this asparagus quiche recipe: an overview!

In under 2 hours, you’ve got a complete masterpiece of an asparagus quiche recipe: made completely from scratch. That includes a homemade quiche crust. Want a shortcut? You can do store-bought crust too: see below. But we highly recommend the homemade crust: it’s crispy, buttery perfection. Here’s what to expect from this process timing-wise:

Make the quiche dough20 minutes, active
Freeze the crust15 minutes, inactive
Blind bake the dough + make the filling25 minutes, active
Bake the quiche40 to 50 minutes, inactive

Here is an overview in photographs of how to make this asparagus quiche. For all the details, jump to the full recipe below.

Step 1: Blind bake the quiche crust.

Step 1: Make the quiche crust (go this quiche crust recipe for instructions). Freeze it for 15 minutes. Blind bake the crust with pie weights at 375°F for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Saute the asparagus and make the filling.

Step 2: Make the filling: sauté the asparagus. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, salt, and pepper. Place grated smoked mozzarella cheese in bottom of the crust. Pour the egg mixture over the top. Sprinkle the sauteed asparagus and feta cheese crumbles.

Step 3: Bake the quiche.

Step 3: Bake the quiche for 40 to 50 minutes at 350°F.

Tips for homemade quiche crust

Ever made a quiche crust from scratch? It’s pretty simple, but you do need a few dough-making techniques. Working with dough takes time and practice. If it’s your first time, give yourself patience and grace.

  • Use a standard 9-inch pie plate, not deep dish. Deep dish will be too thick for the filling amount here.
  • A pastry cloth can be helpful (optional). It helps for rolling out the dough so it doesn’t stick on the counter. If you don’t have one, just lightly dust the counter with flour.
  • Use the tines of a fork to decorate the edge. This is easier than a fluted edge, though either works.
  • You’ll freeze the crust 15 minutes before blind baking it. This helps the crust to hold its shape while blind baking. This freezer method shortcuts refrigerating for a few hours. (You’re welcome!)
Asparagus Quiche slice with fork.

Blind baking is key for the crust

The biggest key to making an asparagus quiche recipe is blind baking the crust. Blind baking is baking a pie crust without the filling. This makes sure that crust is perfectly firm before you add the wet filling, which is especially important for a custard pie like a quiche because the filling is so wet. If you don’t blind bake, you’ll get soggy bottom crust for sure (we did!). Here’s what to know about blind baking and how to get the perfect flaky crust:

  • Prick holes with a fork all over the crust. This is called docking the crust: it makes it puff up less while in the oven.
  • Add pie weights: like dried beans or rice! You can use ceramic pie weights (we used these) to weigh down the crust so it doesn’t get too puffy. Or, you can use dried beans or dry rice! It doesn’t harm the beans or rice: you can still cook them as normal after using them as weights.

Shortcut: use store-bought crust

Yes, you can short-cut the effort to make your homemade crust and go with a store-bought pastry crust. Any type of purchased pie crust works (we don’t have a favorite brand since we always make our own). You’ll still need to blind bake the store-bought crust! So start in the recipe below at Step 3.

Asparagus Quiche with slice out and table setting.

Make ahead instructions

Yes, it takes about 2 hours to make! But here’s the thing: only about 1 hour of it is active time. Even better: it saves VERY well. It’s so easy to make the night before, or even a few days in advance! Here’s what to do:

  • Make the entire quiche 1 to 3 days in advance. Then refrigerate it until serving!
  • Warm in a 200 degree oven for about 20 minutes before serving. It’s also delicious cold, but we like it warmed up.
  • Saves 5 days refrigerated. Wrap it in plastic or aluminum to keep it fresh.

Ways to serve asparagus quiche

This asparagus quiche recipe is a total showstopper! We served this at a spring birthday brunch for my mom and everyone went crazy over it. In fact, it was suddenly gone before we knew it! It was absolutely perfect for a festive occasion (it would be great for Easter or Mother’s Day). While recipe testing, we also ate it for dinner: which was perfect as well. Here are some ways to serve quiche:

Dietary notes

This asparagus quiche is vegetarian.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pre-cook the asparagus?

Pre-cooking the asparagus for a few minutes is essential to ensure it’s tender throughout the quiche.

How can I avoid a soggy quiche crust?

Soggy quiche crust can happen for a few reasons. Make sure your dough is chilled before baking to prevent it from melting too quickly. It’s essential to pre-bake (blind bake) the crust for a few minutes before adding the filling.

Can I use a store-bought pie crust?

Absolutely! Using a store-bought crust is a great time-saver. Just follow the package instructions for pre-baking.

How can I tell when my quiche is done?

The quiche is done when the center is no longer jiggly and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The crust should also be golden brown.

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Quiche crust

Classic Asparagus Quiche


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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8

Description

This asparagus quiche recipe is a total showstopper! Flaky pastry crust, tender asparagus spears, and a savory cheese filling come together for a satisfying and impressive dish.


Ingredients

For the quiche crust*

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons ice water

For the asparagus quiche

  • 4 ounces asparagus (about 8 thin stalks)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • 3 ounces (about ¾ cup) smoked mozzarella or smoked gouda, grated
  • ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles

Instructions

  1. Make the quiche crust: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking powder. Slice the butter into pieces, then cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry blender until a coarse meal texture is obtained. Sprinkle the ice water over the flour 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gradually with fork until the dough sticks together. Add additional water by the tablespoon until the dough comes together but is not sticky. Form the dough into a ball.
  2. Roll out and freeze the dough: If you have a pastry cloth, set it up and dust it with flour; otherwise, flour a clean work surface. Put on a rolling pin cover (optional), and either way, dust the pin in flour. Roll the dough to an even 12-inch circle (which corresponds to the 9-inch pie pan). Use a rolling pin to transfer the dough to the pie pan (make sure it is standard and not deep dish). Fold the overhanging dough backwards and seal it to form a rim. Then press it with the tines of a fork to decorate the edges (see the photos). Use a fork to gently prick holes in the bottom and sides of the crust (this helps it to not puff up while blind baking). Freeze the crust for 10 minutes before blind baking. 
  3. Blind bake the crust: Remove the dough from the freezer and place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the crust. Fill the dough with pie weights (we used two sets of these), dry beans, or dry rice. Bake for 15 minutes, then carefully remove the parchment and weights and bake additional 8 minutes until the bottom is lightly browned. Remove from the oven and go to Step 5.
  4. Sauté the asparagus: Meanwhile, wash the asparagus and trim off the ends. Cut the stalks into bite-sized pieces. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the asparagus, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and a few grind black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the largest pieces are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. This depends on the thickness and maturity of the asparagus, so it’s different every time! Taste and remove when it’s just tender and still bright green, but not crunchy.
  5. Reduce the oven heat: When the crust is done blind baking, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat of the oven to 350°F. 
  6. Make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, and several grinds black pepper. Place the grated smoked mozzarella cheese in bottom of the crust. Pour the egg mixture over the top. Sprinkle the sauteed asparagus and feta cheese crumbles.
  7. Bake: Bake 40 to 50 minutes minutes, until the center is set and the top is lightly browned. Cool at least two hours. It’s easiest to make the night before, so you can refrigerate until serving. Re-warm in a 200°F oven for 20 minutes. (You can also serve it cold.) Leftovers stay for 5 days refrigerated. 

Notes

*You can also use a storebought pastry crust to shortcut some time. You’ll still need to blind bake the crust, so start with Step 3.

  • Category: Main dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Perfect Neapolitan Pizza Recipe

Master the art of authentic Italian pizza with this Neapolitan pizza recipe! This recipe unlocks the secrets of the perfect…

Master the art of authentic Italian pizza with this Neapolitan pizza recipe! This recipe unlocks the secrets of the perfect dough, simple yet flavorful sauce, and quick high-heat cooking for a pizzeria-worthy pie in your own oven.

Neapolitan pizza on pizza peel with basil and fresh mozzarella.

When you’ve had the best pizza in Naples Italy, it’s hard to go back. You know in the movie The Matrix when Neo is allowed to pick the blue and red pill, a choice between blissful ignorance or truth? Eating pizza in Naples, the place where pizza was invented, is like choosing the red pill.

Once you’ve tasted Neapolitan pizza, you’ll never go back. Then you’ll spend the rest of your life trying to recreate it at home! Luckily, we did that for you. Here are all our tips and tricks for the best homemade Neapolitan pizza!

“Awesome recipe. It is really authentic and so easy! Since we have young kids we decided to add a teaspoon of sugar and it was just perfect.” -Michael

What is Neapolitan pizza?

Neapolitan pizza is pizza made in the style that originated in Naples, Italy. Like any famous dish, there many opinions on what it means to be “authentic.” After eating some of what is considered the best pizza in the world on the ground in Naples, here’s what we found are characteristics of Neapolitan pizza:

  • Simple flavors: The best Neapolitan pizza restaurant we’ve been to, Da Michele, served only two flavors: Margherita and Marinara. Pizza margherita is tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, and pizza marinara is simply tomatoes and garlic.
  • Soft, thin crust, cooked in a very hot oven: Most Neapolitan pizzas are baked in a wood fired pizza oven that’s around 800 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The crust is typically blackened by the fire, with puffed edges and very thin towards the middle.
  • Simple tomatoes: The crust on Neapolitan pizzas is typically spread simply with tomatoes, usually San Marzano variety. The recipe below uses a simple pizza sauce that mimics the flavors we had in Naples.
  • Mozzarella: The cheese in Italy is top notch. Neapolitan pizza often uses fresh mozzarella or buffalo mozzarella cheese.
Neapolitan pizza with basil.

How to make Neapolitan pizza: step by step

Here is an overview of how to make Neapolitan pizza. For all the details, jump to the full recipe!

Step 1: Make the pizza dough

Step 1: Make the pizza dough. You’ll need 15 minutes to make it, then allow it to rise for 45 minutes. You can also make it ahead and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake. Go to this Pizza Dough recipe.

Step 2: Stretch the pizza

Step 2: Stretch the pizza dough and place it into a pizza peel. Go to How to Stretch Pizza Dough for our tips. Top the pizza with pizza sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small pieces.

Step 3 Bake the Neapolitan pizza

Step 3: Bake the pizza on a pizza stone in a 500°F oven for 6 to 7 minutes, or in a pizza oven for 1 to 2 minutes. Go to the full recipe for the tutorial.

Tips for the pizza dough

The essential part of Neapolitan pizza is the pizza dough. Alex and I have been working on our pizza dough recipe for over 10 years. In the process, we’ve learned a few things from some of the premiere pizza restaurant chefs in America, who themselves have studied the pizza in Naples!

  • Use Tipo 00 flour. Tipo 00 flour is the type of Italian flour that Neapolitan pizza restaurants use. It makes for a supple and fluffy dough. You can find it at your local grocery or online. If you can’t find it, you can use all-purpose flour: it will still make great pizza!
  • Rest the dough for 45 minutes. This is key to the best fluffy pizza dough.
  • Or, refrigerate the dough 2 to 3 days before baking (optional). If you can, we recommend placing your pizza dough in a sealed container and refrigerating it for 2 to 3 days. This naturally ferments the dough and brings a nutty, complex flavor to the dough.
  • Review our dough stretching tips. When ready to make the pizza, go to How to Stretch Pizza Dough for our comprehensive guide.
How to stretch Neapolitan pizza dough

Do I need pizza oven?

No, you don’t need a Neapolitan pizza oven for this recipe. You can cook it in a standard oven at 500°F along with a preheated pizza stone. But if you want those beautiful black char marks on your crust like in these photos, you’ll need a pizza oven (and use this pizza oven dough).

  • A pizza oven can get much hotter than a regular oven. Your standard oven can get only to 550°F, but a pizza oven reaches temperatures of up to almost 1000°F!
  • What pizza oven to buy? Alex and I use this portable pizza oven. It’s small, transportable, and heats up to 1000°F in just 10 minutes! It’s powered by wood pellets. Using it takes a bit of practice, but it’s revolutionized our homemade pizza.
Neapolitan pizza oven

Toppings for Neapolitan pizza: the tomatoes

🍅 Most Neapolitan pizza recipes call for placing tomatoes right onto the dough. The San Marzano variety of tomato is a type of Italian tomato that is most often used on Neapolitan pizza. You can find canned San Marzano tomatoes in many grocery stores in the United States these days.

We discovered a trick for making a sauce for Neapolitan pizza: this pizza sauce recipe uses just 5 ingredients to make a flavor-popping sauce that reminds us of the best pizza in Naples, Italy. It uses fire-roasted tomatoes, which taste sweet and smoky right out of the can.

Tips for using fresh mozzarella cheese

Fresh mozzarella cheese has a lot of moisture in it, which can sometimes result in a watery pizza! The moisture varies based on the brand. If you’re using fresh mozzarella cheese for this Neapolitan pizza recipe, do the following:

  • Slice the mozzarella into ¼ inch thick pieces for topping your pizza. Using huge chunks causes a water build up after baking.
  • If the brand seems extra watery, let it sit on a towel for about 15 minutes, then blot away the extra moisture.
  • We like to top the mozzarella with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to tie it all together before baking.
Neapolitan pizza recipe | Best pizza in Naples Italy | Neapolitan pizza oven
Here’s a snapshot of eating the best pizza in Naples Italy at Da Michele. It goes down as our favorite pizza experience ever, immortalized here and in the pizza section of our cookbook!

Should Neapolitan pizza have basil?

🌱 Like any famous recipe, there are lots of opinions on what makes an authentic Neapolitan pizza recipe. If you’re making a Margherita pizza, we’d say basil is a must. When we had Naples pizza a few years ago, the pizza had one leaf of fresh basil on it. One leaf! Somehow, it brought in just the right basil flavor.

Should you put the basil on a pizza before or after baking? If you’re using a Neapolitan pizza oven, the bake time is only 1 minute. You can place the basil on before baking since it’s such a short cook time. But if you’re baking pizza in a standard oven, fresh basil turns black in the 6 to 7 minute cook time. If you’re using a standard oven, add the basil after baking.

Video with step by step instructions

Perfecting real Neapolitan pizza can be tricky. It’s easiest to learn by watching. Since we can’t come to your kitchen to show you ourselves, here’s the next best thing! This step-by-step video shows exactly how to make the pizza, from kneading to shaping to baking. We highly recommend watching this before you start the recipe!

More artisan pizza recipes

This Neapolitan pizza is one of our favorite artisan pizzas we’ve ever made at home! Here are a few of our other favorite homemade pizza recipes:

Dietary notes

This Neapolitan pizza recipe is vegetarian.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to make authentic Neapolitan pizza at home without a wood-fired oven?

While a wood-fired oven is ideal, you can achieve a very good Neapolitan pizza at home with a standard oven using high heat. This recipe will guide you through adjustments for achieving a crispy crust despite the limitations of a home oven.

What makes Neapolitan pizza different from other pizzas?

Neapolitan pizza is known for its simplicity and focus on high-quality ingredients. It features a thin, airy crust with a slight char, a simple tomato sauce, and minimal toppings.

What type of flour should I use for Neapolitan pizza dough?

“00” flour, a finely-ground Italian flour, is traditionally used for Neapolitan pizza dough. It contributes to the characteristic light and airy texture. However, bread flour or all-purpose flour can be a suitable substitute.

My dough seems too sticky. What can I do?

Neapolitan pizza dough is on the wetter side. Add flour a little bit at a time until the dough comes together and is no longer sticking excessively to your hands.

How hot should my oven be for Neapolitan pizza?

The key to a Neapolitan pizza is very high heat. Aim to preheat your oven (ideally with a pizza stone) to its maximum temperature, which is usually around 500°F (260°C) or higher.

What if my oven doesn’t get that hot?

Don’t worry! You can still achieve a good result. Preheat your oven to the highest setting and preheat a pizza stone or baking sheet for at least 30 minutes to maximize heat retention.

How can I transfer the pizza to the hot oven without a pizza peel?

You can use a parchment paper “peel.” Slide the pizza onto a large piece of parchment paper dusted with flour. Then, carefully slide the parchment paper with the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.

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Margherita pizza

Neapolitan Pizza Recipe


  • Author: Sonja
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 slices

Description

Master the art of authentic Italian pizza with this Neapolitan pizza recipe! This recipe unlocks the secrets of the perfect dough, simple yet flavorful sauce, and quick high-heat cooking for a pizzeria-worthy pie in your own oven.


Ingredients

  • 1 ball Homemade Pizza Dough*
  • ⅓ cup Easy Pizza Sauce**
  • 2 to 3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (or about ¾ cup shredded mozzarella)
  • Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 basil leaves
  • Semolina flour or cornmeal, for dusting the pizza peel

Instructions

  1. Make the pizza dough: Prepare the dough using this pizza dough recipe. (This takes about 15 minutes to make and 45 minutes to rest.)
  2. Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500°F (or preheat your pizza oven).
  3. Make the pizza sauce.
  4. Slice the mozzarella into ¼ inch thick pieces. If it’s incredibly watery fresh mozzarella (all brands vary), allow it to sit on a paper towel for 15 minutes, then dab the mozzarella with the paper towel to remove any additional moisture.
  5. When the oven is ready, stretch the dough into a circle (see How to Stretch Pizza Dough for instructions). Sprinkle a pizza peel with semolina flour or cornmeal, then carefully place the dough on top. Spread the pizza sauce across the dough. Top with mozzarella cheese. Top with a thin layer of fresh grated Parmesan cheese and a few pinches of kosher salt.
  6. If you’re baking in a pizza oven, add the basil leaves. For baking in a standard oven, skip this step.
  7. Transfer the pizza to the pizza stone on the pizza peel, then bake until the cheese is melted, about 7 minutes in the oven (or 1 minute in the pizza oven). Allow the pizza to cool for a minute or two before adding the basil on top (whole leaves, lightly torn, or thinly sliced). Slice into pieces and serve immediately.

Notes

*Make the pizza dough 1 hour in advance (for day of preparation), or you can make it in advance and refrigerate up to 3 days. Refrigerating the dough actually adds to the flavor! Allow refrigerated dough to come to room temperature before using by letting it stand for about 30 to 45 minutes.

**Make the pizza dough up to 1 week in advance and refrigerate.

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Neapolitan Pizza, Neapolitan Pizza recipe

Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers

These Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers are packed with southwest flavor, perfectly portioned for meal prep, and freezer-friendly!

The post Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

We’re in love with stuffed bell peppers here at the Budget Bytes kitchen, so I decided to make a new variation just so I could have an excuse to eat stuffed bell peppers again. These Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers are full of super flavorful Mexican chorizo, hearty rice, and a rich sauce, then topped with melty mozzarella cheese. They’re SO filling, perfectly portioned for meal prep or freezer cooking, and quite flexible if you want to change up the ingredients to make them even more budget-friendly! Put this one one your to-cook list because I know you’re going to love them!

Overhead view of chorizo stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish on a yellow background.

Ingredients for Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers

These stuffed bell peppers are packed with flavorful herbs and spices and a rich tomato-y sauce so that every bite is deee-licious. Here are the ingredients for chorizo stuffed bell peppers:

  • Bell Peppers: You’ll need three bell peppers to make six servings for this recipe. We used a mix of colors to make it more festive, but you can use any color pepper that fits your budget.
  • Mexican Chorizo: Mexican chorizo is a fresh (not cured) sausage that is packed with spices. You can usually either buy this loose or in links. If you buy them in links, simply squeeze the meat out of the casing into the skillet. I like Johnsonville brand, but many larger grocery stores also make their own generic version.
  • Garlic & Onion: A little fresh onion and garlic add flavor and texture to the bell pepper stuffing.
  • Rice: Long grain white rice bulks up this meal to make it filling while keeping the cost low. We cook the rice right in the pot with the chorizo, spices, and broth for maximum flavor.
  • Chicken Broth: The rice is cooked in chicken broth to ensure that every bite is super flavorful. We use Better Than Bouillon to make our broth because it’s budget-friendly and has great flavor.
  • Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is added to the broth to help create an enchilada sauce-like flavor in the rice mixture.
  • Diced Green Chiles: Green chiles add even more flavor, color, and texture to the filling. If you prefer a milder stuffed pepper, you can leave out the green chiles or look for a mild green chile.
  • Spices: We packed this bell pepper stuffing with even more spices including chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
  • Mozzarella: The stuffed bell peppers are topped with mozzarella cheese for a rich finish, but you can substitute with a different type of cheese if preferred, like Monterey jack, pepper jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend.
  • Green Onion: A few sliced green onions sprinkled over top of the stuffed bell peppers add a fresh finish, but are entirely optional!

What Else Can I Add?

This recipe is pretty flexible, so if you want to change it up or make it more budget-friendly, here are some other ingredients you can add:

  • Beans: Try swapping half of the chorizo with a can of black beans or pinto beans for more fiber and less cost.
  • Diced Tomatoes: If you want more color and texture in your bell pepper filling, try adding a drained can of petite diced tomatoes, or diced tomatoes with chiles (Rotel).
  • Sweet Potato: Chorizo and sweet potato are a perfect flavor pair. Replace half of the chorizo with one small finely diced sweet potato for a spicy-sweet flavor profile (add it with the rice so it can simmer and soften with the rice).

Mexican Chorizo vs. Spanish Chorizo

It’s really important to use the correct type of chorizo for this recipe. You’ll need Mexican chorizo, which is a fresh (uncooked & uncured) sausage. You’ll find Mexican chorizo in the fresh meat department, usually near bratwurst and other fresh sausages. Spanish chorizo is a cured, sliceable sausage that you’ll usually find near cheese, pepperoni, or other charcuterie-type foods.

What to Serve with Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers

These southwest-inspired peppers are really filling on their own, but if you want to serve something on the side they pair really well with Cumin Lime Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Cowboy Caviar, Sweet Potato Cornbread, or Warm Corn and Avocado Salad.

How To Store Leftovers

I love making stuffed bell peppers for meal prep, so this is how I store and reheat them. The cooked bell peppers can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. I like to reheat them quickly in the microwave (about 2 minutes each).

Or, once chilled in the refrigerator, you can transfer them to the freezer. I suggest packaging them individually in a freezer-safe, air-tight container, so you can reheat one at a time as needed. Frozen stuffed bell peppers can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight and then reheated the next day in the microwave, or thawed straight from the freezer in the microwave using the defrost function, then heated through on full power.

Side view of a fork lifting some stuffing out of the bell pepper with the cheese pulling.
Overhead view of chorizo stuffed bell peppers in a round baking dish.
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Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers

These Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers are packed with southwest flavor, perfectly portioned for meal prep, and freezer-friendly!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Amercian, Mexican
Total Cost $12.91 recipe / $2.15 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 380kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 bell peppers $4.07
  • 1 lb. Mexican chorizo $4.99
  • 1 yellow onion $0.37
  • 2 cloves garlic $0.16
  • 1 4oz. can diced green chiles $0.99
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste $0.20
  • 2 tsp chili powder $0.20
  • 1/2 tsp cumin $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/2 cup long grain white rice (uncooked) $0.13
  • 1 cup chicken broth $0.19
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella $1.25

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Cut each bell pepper in half so there is a top and bottom portion, then remove the seeds and ribs. You can either carefully cut the stem out of the center of the top half, or eat around it later. Place the halved bell peppers in a baking dish, cut sides up. Par-bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  • Add the chorizo to a large deep skillet and cook over medium heat until browned. While the chorizo is cooking, dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion and garlic to the chorizo and continue to cook until the onions are softened.
  • Add the diced green chiles, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt to the skillet and stir until combined.
  • Add the uncooked rice and chicken broth to the skillet and stir until combined again. Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and allow the broth to come up to a boil.
  • As soon as the broth begins to boil, turn the heat down to low and let the rice simmer over, low without lifting the lid or stirring, for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let it rest for five more minutes.
  • Finally, remove the lid and gently stir the rice and chorizo mixture. All of the broth should be absorbed and the rice tender.
  • Divide the rice and chorizo mixture between the six bell pepper halves, then top with shredded cheese. Cover the baking dish and return it to the 350ºF oven and bake for 20 minutes more. Finally, top with sliced green onions and serve!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pepper | Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 24g | Sodium: 1032mg | Fiber: 3g
Overhead view of two stuffed bell peppers on a plate with a fork digging into one.

How to Make Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers – Step by Step Photos

Prepped bell peppers in a baking dish.

Begin by preheating the oven to 350ºF. Cut three bell peppers in half to create a top and bottom piece for each pepper. Scoop out the seeds and ribs. You can either cut out the stem from the top half of the peppers, or eat around them later. Place the halved peppers in a baking dish and par-bake them for 15 minutes in the fully preheated 350ºF oven.

Cooked chorizo and onion in a skillet.

Meanwhile, cook 1 lb. of Mexican chorizo in a large deep skillet over medium heat until browned. The chorizo has plenty of fat, so you likely won’t need to add any additional to the skillet. Dice one yellow onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet with the chorizo, and continue to cook until the onions are softened.

Green chiles, tomato paste, and spices added to the skillet.

Add one 4oz. can of diced green chiles, 2 Tbsp tomato paste, 2 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, and ¼ tsp salt to the meat and onions. Stir to combine.

Rice added to the skillet, broth being poured in the side.

Add ½ cup of uncooked long grain white rice and 1 cup of chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well to combine, then place a lid on top, and turn the heat up to medium-high. When the broth reaches a full boil, turn the heat down to low and allow it to continue to simmer over low (without removing the lid or stirring) for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn the heat off and let it rest for 5 more minutes.

Cooked chorizo and rice in the skillet being scooped to the side with a spoon.

After simmering for 20 minutes the broth should be absorbed and the rice should be tender. Gently stir the rice and chorizo mixture with a spoon.

Filled bell peppers in a baking dish being topped with shredded cheese.

Divide the rice and chorizo mixture between the six par-baked bell pepper halves, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup). Cover the dish and bake in the 350ºF oven for 20 minutes.

Finished stuffed bell peppers topped with sliced green onion.

Top the chorizo stuffed bell peppers with sliced green onions and serve!

Close up side view of a fork lifting some of the filling out of a stuffed bell pepper.

Enjoy the cheesy chorizo-y goodness!!

The post Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is the ultimate comfort food– crispy, saucy chicken topped with melty cheese! So easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit.

The post Chicken Parmesan appeared first on Budget Bytes.

When I think of comfort food, I always think of chicken parmesan. It’s everything I want in a cozy meal– crispy, saucy chicken topped with melty cheese! This one-pan chicken parmesan recipe is so easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit. Served over spaghetti and topped with a healthy dose of parmesan cheese, it’s a recipe I come back to time and time again.

overhead view of 4 fried chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce, melted cheese, and parsley in a stainless skillet.

What Is Chicken Parmesan?

You’ll probably recognize Chicken Parmesan as a dish from every American-Italian restaurant menu. It is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, parmesan, or even provolone cheese.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make chicken parmesan:

  • Chicken Breasts: You’ll need 2 large chicken breasts for this recipe because each chicken breast will be sliced into 2 cutlets for 4 servings.
  • Breadcrumbs: We’re using plain breadcrumbs so we can season them to our liking and create a crispy breading on the chicken.
  • Grated Parmesan: You can use pre-grated or grate your own parmesan.
  • Seasonings: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper season the chicken as well as the bread crumbs.
  • Egg: Egg helps adhere the breading to the chicken.
  • All-Purpose Flour: A bit of flour helps to thicken the sauce.
  • Cooking Oil: Any neutral oil that you like to cook with is fine.
  • Marinara Sauce: We like using our Homemade Marinara Sauce! But your favorite jarred sauce would work just fine.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: We used pre-shredded, but you’re welcome to shred your own! Low moisture, whole-milk mozzarella will work best here, as fresh mozzarella has a bit too much moisture. You can even use provolone cheese if you like.
  • Fresh Parsley: Totally optional, but it does add a lovely freshness at the end!

What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan

We recommend serving Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti marinara and a simple mixed greens salad. You can use store bought or our Homemade Marinara! You could also serve with Lemon Parsley Pasta and Homemade Garlic Bread.

Recipe Tips and Notes

  • Most chicken parmesan recipes will have you crisp up the chicken in a pan and then transfer it to the oven to finish cooking and melt the cheese. In this recipe, everything is done in the skillet to save time and clean up!
  • Make sure your pan is big enough to accommodate all of the chicken pieces (we used a 12-inch skillet) and you’ll need a lid that will fit the pan in order to melt the cheese and warm the marinara.
  • If you don’t have a lid or something to tent the pan with (tin foil should work as well!) You can transfer to a baking sheet lined with a rack and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
  • You’re welcome to warm up your marinara sauce before adding it to the chicken, but I find that it warms up enough while the cheese is melting.
overhead view of a serving of chicken parmesan over spaghetti with a side salad on a white plate.
overhead view of 4 fried chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce, melted cheese, and parsley in a stainless skillet.
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Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is the ultimate comfort food– crispy, saucy chicken topped with melty cheese! So easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Total Cost $10.61 recipe / $2.65 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 570kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1.5 lbs) $6.75
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs $0.60
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese $0.67
  • 1 tsp garlic powder $0.10
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning $0.10
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • Freshly cracked pepper $0.02
  • 1 egg $0.17
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour $0.10
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil $0.15
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce $0.35
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella $1.25
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional $0.30

Instructions

  • Use a sharp knife to carefully filet the chicken breasts lengthwise into two cutlets, making 4 cutlets total. You can also use pre-cut chicken cutlets.
  • Lightly season both sides of the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
  • In a wide shallow bowl or container, combine the bread crumbs, parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper.
  • In a separate wide shallow bowl or container, whisk the egg until smooth.
  • In a third shallow bowl, add the flour.
  • Dredge each piece of chicken into the flour, dusting off any excess. Then, dip in the egg mixture, making sure to fully coat the chicken and dripping off any excess. Finally, dip the chicken in the seasoned bread crumbs, again coating well on both sides.
  • Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet and oil are very hot, add the chicken and cook on the first side until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken and turn the heat down to medium. Top each cutlet with 2 tbsp of marinara sauce and ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Place a lid on the skillet to allow the cheese to fully melt, the marinara sauce to warm up, and the chicken to cook all the way through, about 5-7 more minutes.
  • Top the chicken with fresh chopped parsley (optional) and serve with spaghetti and additional marinara.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 29g | Sodium: 1402mg | Fiber: 2g
close up overhead view of a serving of chicken parmesan over spaghetti with a side salad on a white plate.

how to make Chicken Parmesan – step by step photos

4 seasoned chicken breasts on an orange cutting board.

Use a sharp knife to carefully filet 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts lengthwise into two cutlets, making 4 cutlets total. You can also use pre-cut chicken cutlets. Lightly season both sides of the chicken with a pinch of salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

an egg, flour, and seasoned breadcrumbs in separate white bowls.

In a wide shallow bowl or container, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup grated parmesan, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked pepper. In a separate wide shallow bowl or container, whisk 1 egg until smooth. In a third shallow bowl, add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour.

dredging a chicken breast through egg, flour, and breadcrumbs in separate bowls.

Dredge each piece of chicken into the flour, dusting off any excess. Then, dip in the egg mixture, making sure to fully coat the chicken and dripping off any excess. Finally, dip the chicken in the seasoned bread crumbs, again coating well on both sides.

4 fried chicken breasts in a stainless skillet.

Heat 1/4 cup cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet and oil are very hot, add the chicken and cook on the first side until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

4 fried chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and shredded cheese in a stainless skillet.

Flip the chicken and turn the heat down to medium. Top each cutlet with 2 tbsp of marinara sauce and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Place a lid on the skillet to allow the cheese to fully melt, the marinara sauce to warm up, and the chicken to cook all the way through, about 5-7 more minutes.

parsley topped fried chicken breasts with marinara sauce and melted cheese in a stainless skillet.

Top the chicken with 1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley (optional) and serve with spaghetti and additional marinara.

side view of a sliced serving of chicken parmesan on a bed of spaghetti with a side salad.

This chicken parmesan is the ultimate comfort meal!

The post Chicken Parmesan appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Ravioli Lasagna

This ravioli lasagna recipe is super-easy to make with 8 ingredients and only 15 minutes of hands-on prep time. Say hello to one of my longtime favorite shortcut recipes — ravioli lasagna. ♡ We’re all big lasagna fans here in our house. But let’s be real, layering up a pan of classic lasagna is a […]

This ravioli lasagna recipe is super-easy to make with 8 ingredients and only 15 minutes of hands-on prep time.

Say hello to one of my longtime favorite shortcut recipes — ravioli lasagna. ♡

We’re all big lasagna fans here in our house. But let’s be real, layering up a pan of classic lasagna is a labor of love, and one that rarely seems to fit into my schedule in this season of life with two little ones. Ravioli lasagna, however, couldn’t be easier!

Simply sauté a big pan of Italian sausage, onion and garlic and combine with your favorite marinara to make a quick meat sauce. (Or you can skip the sausage and keep this recipe vegetarian.) Layer the sauce in a baking dish with frozen tortellini (no need to thaw), ricotta and lots of mozzarella. Pop the pan in the oven and bake until the mix is hot and bubbly. Then top with extra Parmesan and fresh basil and dive on in. The ravioli swap magically provides all of the textures and flavors we all love in traditional lasagna without all of the work. And when layered with all of these classic ingredients tastes absolutely delicious.

Feel free to use whatever flavor of ravioli and marinara sauce that you love best. And if you’d like to toss in some extra veggies or greens, by all means, go for it. This recipe is incredibly flexible and reliable. So the next time you’re at the store, pop a few bags of frozen ravioli in your cart and let’s make a big pan of “lasagna” together!

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Chicken Spaghetti

This creamy Chicken Spaghetti recipe is made with a cheesy, luscious, cream sauce and baked to perfection. A pasta lover’s dream!

The post Chicken Spaghetti appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Let me start by saying my husband requested that I make this recipe over my usual chicken pasta recipe that I’ve been making for 10 years!! I was appalled. But honestly I can’t even blame him. This creamy Chicken Spaghetti recipe is a pasta lover’s dream. Tender chicken breast and spaghetti pasta are coated with a luscious cream sauce, then baked to perfection with extra cheese on top! And this casserole is made with simple pantry and refrigerated ingredients. I don’t know about you but I always seem to have a box of spaghetti noodles hanging out in my cabinet. If you do need to make a quick store run, make sure you grab two of whatever item you need, because trust me you’ll want to add this one to your weekly dinner rotation!

Side close up view of chicken spaghetti in a casserole dish with a wooden spoon lifting some out.

What Is Chicken Spaghetti?

When you read the words “Chicken Spaghetti” I’m sure you were thinking how on earth do those two foods go together? Well friend, let me ease your mind. This is not the traditional spaghetti sauce recipe that you’re probably familiar with. Chicken spaghetti is made with a creamy, cheesy, super flavorful cream sauce that coats tender chicken and spaghetti noodles. Tangy Rotel tomatoes are also added to give it an extra pop of flavor and to balance the creaminess of the dish. The mixture is then placed in a casserole dish and baked until it’s gooey and bubbly around the sides. Great, now I’m sitting here drooling just thinking about it again!

Ingredients For Chicken Spaghetti

Whenever it’s possible I like to keep things pretty simple, so you may already have everything you need to make this chicken spaghetti recipe. Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need:

  • Chicken: I opted for two boneless skinless chicken breasts. But if your budget is tight, you can certainly use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
  • Aromatics: Onion and garlic are sautéed in butter to give the casserole a wonderful base layer of flavor.
  • Butter & Flour: Butter is used to sauté the onion and garlic. All-purpose flour then mixes with the butter to create a simple roux, which thickens the creamy sauce.
  • Chicken Broth: Chicken broth combines with the roux to create a rich and thick sauce. And we always recommend using a good quality chicken broth because it adds a lot of flavor to your dish. We use Better than Bouillon to make our broth.
  • Seasoning: A simple mix of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper is all you’ll need!
  • Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese: A combination of cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese adds depth of flavor to the casserole and makes it extra rich and cheesy! And yes I do recommend using both types of cheeses. We first tested this recipe using just cheddar cheese, but adding some mozzarella cheese with it really boosted the level of flavor!
  • Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds even more richness to the dish and gives the sauce a wonderful creamy texture.
  • Rotel: A can of Rotel tomatoes with green chiles adds a LOT of flavor to the cream sauce and makes this chicken casserole absolutely delish! So don’t skip it!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this chicken casserole with some crusty bread or try our Homemade Garlic Bread. It would also pair well with a simple side salad to keep dinner simple and easy. With that being said, me and my family totally enjoyed this dish by itself…no extra sides needed for us!😉

Side view of Chicken Spaghetti plated with a forklifting some out
Overhead view of chicken spaghetti in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon placed inside.
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Chicken Spaghetti

This creamy Chicken Spaghetti recipe is made with a cheesy, luscious, cream sauce and baked to perfection. A pasta lover’s dream!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Total Cost $11.81 recipe / $1.96 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6
Calories 572kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lb total) $4.70
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.12
  • 1/2 Tbsp salt (for the pasta water) $0.04
  • 8 oz spaghetti $0.62
  • 1/4 cup salted butter $0.52
  • 1 onion, diced $0.32
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced $0.16
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour $0.06
  • 2 cups chicken broth $0.34
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning $0.05
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided $1.24
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided $1.24
  • 1 cup heavy cream $1.36
  • 1 10oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained (Rotel) $1.00

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Using a sharp knife, carefully fillet each chicken breast into two thinner cutlets. Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the four chicken cutlets to the skillet and cook on each side until golden brown and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes total). Remove the chicken to a clean cutting board, and allow it to rest.
  • While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1/2 Tbsp of salt to the water then add the spaghetti pasta and boil until the pasta is tender (or al dente). Drain the pasta in a colander.
  • While the pasta is cooking, start making the sauce. In the same skillet that the chicken was cooked in, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until onion is translucent.
  • Sprinkle the flour into the skillet and stir with the onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flour starts to turn golden brown.
  • Slowly pour the chicken broth into the skillet and stir to fully dissolve the flour from the bottom of the skillet. The flour will start to thicken the sauce when it returns to a simmer. Add 1/2 tsp of salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and the heavy cream to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • After the chicken breasts have rested, chop them into smaller ½ inch pieces.
  • Turn the heat off the skillet and add the drained diced tomatoes with green chiles, the chopped chicken, and the cooked spaghetti to the pan. Mix until combined.
  • Add the chicken spaghetti mixture to a 9×13” casserole dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and cheese is melted.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 572kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 37g | Sodium: 843mg | Fiber: 2g
Overhead view of chicken spaghetti in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon placed inside.

How to Make Chicken Spaghetti – Step by Step Photos

Seared chicken breasts in a skillet.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Using a sharp knife, carefully fillet each chicken breast into two thinner cutlets. Here is a great tutorial on How to Cut Chicken Breasts Into Cutlets by Serious Eats. Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add the four chicken cutlets to the skillet and cook on each side until golden brown and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes total). Remove the chicken to a clean cutting board, and allow it to rest.

Cooked spaghetti noodles in a pot.

While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1/2 Tbsp of salt to the water, then add 8 oz. of spaghetti pasta, and boil until the pasta is tender (or al dente). Drain the pasta in a colander.

Onion and garlic sauteed in butter

While the pasta is cooking, start making the sauce. In the same skillet that the chicken was cooked in, heat 1/4 cup salted butter over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until onion is translucent.

Chicken broth being added to sauteed onions, garlic and cooked flour.

Sprinkle 1/4 cup of flour into the skillet and stir with the onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flour starts to turn golden brown. Slowly pour 2 cups of chicken broth into the skillet and stir to fully dissolve the flour from the bottom of the skillet. The flour will start to thicken the sauce when it returns to a simmer.

Heavy cream, cheese, salt and pepper added to skillet.

Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1 cup of heavy cream to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Chicken breasts chopped on a cutting board.

Now chop the cooked chicken breasts into smaller ½ inch pieces.

Cooked spaghetti, chopped chicken breasts, and rotel being added to skillet.

Turn the heat off the skillet and add 1 can of drained diced tomatoes with green chiles, the chopped chicken, and the cooked spaghetti to the pan. Mix until combined.

Chicken spaghetti mixture added to a white baking dish with the remainder of the cheese sprinkled on top.

Add the chicken spaghetti mixture to a 9×13” casserole dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Overhead view of cooked chicken spaghetti in a casserole dish.

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and the cheese is melted on top.

Overhead view of chicken spaghetti in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon placed inside.

This Chicken Spaghetti casserole is so creamy and delicious, it’ll soon become one of your favorite recipes! Enjoy!

Side view of Chicken Spaghetti plated with a forklifting some out.

The post Chicken Spaghetti appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

This creamy and flavorful Spinach Artichoke Dip is made with three types of cheese and is the perfect appetizer for any party or gathering.

The post Spinach Artichoke Dip appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe is epic. It’s super easy to make and the perfect dish to bring to Friendsgiving, football parties, or any gathering. It has three types of cheese, a creamy homemade sauce, and just a little bitty splash of hotness to tingle your taste buds. This spinach artichoke dip is so good that it’ll make you want to eat your appetizer for dinner. …And I won’t judge you if you do. ;)

Spinach Artichoke Dip in a skillet with a chip dipping into the side.

Ingredients for Spinach Artichoke Dip

This recipe is super easy to make and it doesn’t require too many ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this spinach artichoke dip recipe:

  • Spinach: We used frozen chopped spinach because it’s convenient and inexpensive. Just make sure you fully thaw and squeeze the spinach dry before using. You can use fresh spinach, but you’ll need to cook it down first to remove most of the water. You’ll need about 2 cups once cooked and squeezed.
  • Artichoke Hearts: Canned artichoke hearts are convenient, but you can also use frozen artichoke hearts, if available.
  • Cheese: This super-rich dip has a mix of three cheeses: mozzarella, Parmesan, and cream cheese.
  • Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, and Butter: These three ingredients come together to create the super-rich and creamy sauce that drenches the spinach and artichokes.
  • Seasoning: The seasoning for this dip is pretty simple, just some fresh garlic, hot sauce for tang and heat, plus a pinch of red pepper for another kick. It’s simple, but amazing!

What to Serve with Spinach Artichoke Dip

Because spinach artichoke dip is kind of heavy (understatement) you will want to serve it with something strong and crusty for dipping. My favorite is slices of toasted baguette, but strong crackers and tortilla chips are other great options.

You can also use spinach artichoke dip as part of a meal. Try using it to fill a quesadilla, making it into a grilled cheese sandwich or “melt”, or stirring it into some pasta!

Spinach Artichoke Dip Variations

This is a classic spinach artichoke dip recipe, but you can add or substitute ingredients to make it your own. Here are some ideas for different variations of this spinach artichoke dip recipe:

  • Double Spinach: Use twice the amount of spinach for an extra dose of vegetables.
  • Spicy Spinach Artichoke Dip: make it extra spicy by adding a lot more hot sauce, for a flavor that’s half-way between buffalo dip and spinach dip!
  • Make it Lighter: Substitute the sour cream with non-fat yogurt and Neufchatel cheese for the cream cheese to make a slightly lighter spinach artichoke dip.
  • Skip the Artichokes: If you’re not a fan of artichokes, double up on the spinach and skip the artichokes for a creamy spinach dip.
  • Add Chicken: Make the dip more hearty by stirring in diced cooked chicken breast.

How to Store Leftovers

This spinach and artichoke dip will last about four days in your refrigerator. Reheat leftovers in the microwave until hot, or cover and heat in a 350ºF oven until heated through (the total time needed will depend on the amount of dip being reheated).

Close up overhead view of a skillet full of spinach artichoke dip with tortilla chips dipped into it.
Close up overhead view of a skillet full of spinach artichoke dip with tortilla chips dipped into it.
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Spinach Artichoke Dip

This creamy and flavorful Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe is made with three types of cheese and is the perfect appetizer for any party or gathering.
Course Appetizer, Dip
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.73 recipe / $1.62 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 1/2 cup each
Calories 457kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed $1.79
  • 1 14oz. can quartered artichoke hearts $2.99
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella, divided $1.87
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan $0.38
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper $0.02
  • 2 Tbsp butter $0.26
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced $0.16
  • 8 oz. cream cheese $1.25
  • 1/2 cup sour cream $0.63
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise $0.33
  • 2 dashes hot sauce $0.05

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Make sure the spinach is fully thawed, then squeeze out as much of the excess water as possible. Once squeezed, break the spinach up so there are no large clumps. Place the squeeze dried spinach in a large bowl.
  • Drain and roughly chop the artichoke hearts. Place the artichoke hearts in the bowl with the spinach, 1 cup of the mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and crushed red pepper. Stir these ingredients together to combine, then set them aside.
  • Add the butter and minced garlic to a small sauce pot. Sauté the garlic in the butter over medium-low heat for about two minutes, or just until the garlic becomes very fragrant.
  • Cut the cream cheese into chunks and add it to the sauce pot along with the sour cream and mayonnaise. Heat and whisk these ingredients together for about five minutes, or until they melt together into a smooth sauce. Finally, stir in a couple dashes of hot sauce.
  • Pour the creamy garlic sauce over the spinach artichoke mixture, then stir until everything is evenly combined and coated in sauce. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish, then top with the remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella.
  • Bake the dip for about 30 minutes, or until it is bubbling around the edges and the cheese on top is turning golden brown. Serve while hot.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 41g | Sodium: 750mg | Fiber: 3g
Close up side view of a tortilla chip dipping into the pan of spinach artichoke dip.

How to Make Spinach Artichoke Dip

Frozen spinach in the package.

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Start with one 10 oz. package of frozen chopped spinach, fully thawed. Squeeze as much of the excess liquid out of the thawed spinach as possible. Make sure to use “chopped” spinach so you don’t get long stringy pieces in the dip.

Chopped artichoke hearts on a cutting board.

Drain and chop one 14oz. can of artichoke hearts.

Spinach, artichoke hearts, mozzarella and red pepper in a bowl.

Add the spinach, artichoke hearts, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to a large bowl. Stir them together until they are combined.

Melted butter and garlic in a saucepot.

Add 2 Tbsp butter and 2 cloves of garlic (minced) to a small sauce pot. Sauté the garlic in the butter over medium-low heat for about two minutes, or just until the garlic becomes very fragrant.

Cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise added to the sauce pot.

Cut an 8 oz. block of cream cheese into chunks and add it to the sauce pot along with 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup mayonnaise. Heat and whisk these ingredients together until they melt into a smooth sauce (about 5 minutes).

Hot sauce being added to the saucepot.

Add a couple of dashes of hot sauce to the creamy garlic sauce. This isn’t enough to actually make it spicy, it just adds a little tang.

Creamy sauce added to bowl with spinach.

Add the creamy sauce to the spinach and artichoke mixture and stir until everything is very well combined.

Spinach artichoke dip added to a skillet, mozzarella being sprinkled over top.

Spread the Spinach Artichoke Dip into a 2-quart skillet or casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella over top.

Baked spinach artichoke dip in the skillet.

Bake in the preheated 375ºF oven for about 35 minutes or until it’s bubbly around the edges and turning golden brown on top.

Close up of spinach artichoke dip on a tortilla chip.

Take a closer look at that creamy, cheesy, spinach-y goodness! 🤤

Close up side view of a skillet full of spinach artichoke dip with a tortilla chip.

This photo shoot took ALL of my willpower. ALL OF IT.

The post Spinach Artichoke Dip appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun take on the classic Italian dish. Perfectly portioned for meal prep, customizable, and freezer-friendly!

The post Lasagna Roll Ups appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I love lasagna in all its forms, especially these cute little Lasagna Roll Ups that are perfectly portioned for meal prep. Stash a few portions of these in your freezer for a rainy day and you will THANK yourself later. Promise. Lasagna roll ups are flexible and you can fill them with whatever you like, sausage, beef, or even make them vegetarian as I have here with a light spinach-ricotta filling. No matter the flavor, they’re delicious and fun to eat!

Overhead view of a lasagna roll up being lifted from the baking dish.

What Are Lasagna Roll Ups?

Lasagna roll ups have all the same components of lasagna, but they are combined in different form. Instead of layering the ingredients into a casserole dish, the filling is spread onto each lasagna noodle and then rolled into a perfect little portion. Sauce is poured over the top and then they’re baked to perfection!

Ingredients for Lasagna Roll Ups

As with traditional lasagna, the filling for these lasagna roll ups is quite flexible. Here is what you’ll need to make the vegetarian spinach and ricotta-filled version below:

  • Lasagna Noodles: Each lasagna noodle makes one bundle. I like to get the flutter edge noodles instead of flat noodles because they make the prettiest roll ups.
  • Cheese: We use a mix of ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese to create the most flavorful filling for the roll ups.
  • Egg: Egg helps bind the cheese filling and keeps the filling moist and rich. I have, on occasion, forgotten the egg and the lasagna roll ups still turned out quite delicious, just not as moist.
  • Frozen Spinach: I chose to make a vegetarian version of lasagna roll ups to save on money, using an inexpensive block of frozen cut spinach, but you can swap for Italian sausage or ground beef if you want a meat version. Sautéed mushrooms also work well.
  • Pasta Sauce: To make this recipe extra easy, I used a simple jar of pasta sauce to drench the lasagna roll ups. If you prefer to make your own, you can use our Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce, or our quick Weeknight Pasta Sauce and have meat in addition to the spinach.

What to Serve with Lasagna Roll Ups

Some homemade garlic bread and a nice side salad would be perfect to pair with this meal and will add some color and freshness to the plate. But the roll ups are pretty filling on their own, so you won’t need to add much to make it a meal!

Meal Prep It!

These lasagna roll ups will stay good in the refrigerator for about five days, so make sure to portion them out into air-tight containers after cooking for quick grab-and-reheat meals for the rest of the week. After the portions are chilled in the refrigerator you can transfer some to the freezer for longer storage (up to three months).

To reheat the frozen lasagna roll ups, either let them thaw in the refrigerator over night before reheating in the microwave, or go straight from the freezer to the microwave, making sure to use the defrost function first.

Side view of a lasagna roll up being lifted from the baking dish.
Overhead view of a pan full of lasagna roll ups with one being lifted out of the pan.
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Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun take on the classic Italian dish. Perfectly portioned for meal prep, customizable, and freezer-friendly!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $12.26 recipe / $1.53 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 (2 rolls each)
Calories 387kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. lasagna noodles $2.19
  • 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese $3.39
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided $2.33
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan $0.38
  • 1 large egg $0.09
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed $1.20
  • 1 24oz. jar pasta sauce $1.99

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add 1 tsp salt to season the water, then add the lasagna noodles. Boil the noodles just until al dente (they become too delicate to roll if they are too soft). Drain the noodles in a colander.
  • While the noodles are boiling, drain the thawed spinach, squeezing out as much of the excess water as possible. Add the spinach to a bowl with the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
  • Once the lasagna noodles have cooled enough to touch with your hands, lay a few noodles out onto a clean surface. Spread about ¼ cup of the spinach and cheese filling onto each noodle, spreading it from edge to edge. It's okay if the filling is thin or doesn't create a solid layer. Roll the noodles up, then place in a large casserole dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles until you've used all of the filling. You should get about 16 roll ups and you may have a few noodles left over (those will be back up in case any tear).
  • Once all of the noodles are filled, rolled, and placed in the casserole dish, pour the jar of pasta sauce over top. Top the lasagna roll ups with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake the lasagna roll ups for 30 minutes in the preheated 400ºF oven. Serve hot and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 2roll ups | Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 16g | Sodium: 788mg | Fiber: 4g
Lasagna roll ups on a plate with garlic bread, a fork cutting into one.

How to Make Lasagna Roll Ups – Step by Step Photos

Frozen spinach package on a plate.

Thaw one 10oz. package of frozen chopped spinach (either use the defrost function on a microwave or transfer it to the refrigerator the day before to thaw). Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Thawed spinach squeezed dry in a bowl.

Once the spinach is fully thawed, squeeze out as much water as possible from the spinach. You should have about one cup tightly packed spinach after squeezing.

Spinach with cheese and eggs for filling in a bowl.

Add the spinach to a large bowl with one large egg, 15oz. ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Stir everything together until evenly combined.

Boiled lasagna noodles in a colander.

Boil 12oz. lasagna noodles until al dente, then drain in a colander. Do not let the noodles overcook or they’ll be too delicate to work with. You’ll only need 12 noodles, but you’ll likely have a few more if you boil an entire 12oz. box. It’s always good to have a few back up in case they tear as you’re filling and rolling.

Lasagna noodles being filled and rolled.

Lay a few of the lasagna noodles out onto a clean surface and spread a thin layer of the cheese filling onto each noodle from edge to edge. The filling does not need to be thick or in a solid layer because it adds up when the noodles are rolled. I used heaping ¼ cup of filling per noodle.

Sauce being poured over the lasagna roll ups in the baking dish.

As you fill and roll the noodles, place them in a large casserole dish. Pour one 24oz. jar of marinara sauce over the lasagna roll ups.

Cheese being sprinkled on top of the lasagna roll ups.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella over the lasagna roll ups.

Baked lasagna roll ups with foil being pulled back from the baking dish.

Cover the baking dish and bake the roll ups for about 30 minutes in the preheated 400ºF oven, or until the sauce and cheese are bubbling up around the edges.

Finished lasagna roll ups in the baking dish, garnished with parsley.

Serve and enjoy! (Garnish with parsley for a little extra color, if desired.)

Side view of a lasagna roll up being lifted out of the baking dish.

The post Lasagna Roll Ups appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Eggplant Lasagna

This eggplant lasagna recipe layers eggplant, homemade marinara, and a flavorful three-cheese filling! It’s a hearty dinner that pleases everyone.…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This eggplant lasagna recipe layers eggplant, homemade marinara, and a flavorful three-cheese filling! It’s a hearty dinner that pleases everyone.

Eggplant Lasagna

Got eggplant and want to turn it into a meal? Try this Eggplant Lasagna, a tasty dinner recipe that swaps out the traditional noodles for roasted eggplant! This gooey pan holds layers of eggplant, homemade marinara, and a flavorful three-cheese filling. Lemon zest and nutmeg takes it to restaurant-style flavor. It’s a hearty gluten-free and meatless dinner idea that everyone will love! This one’s now in our regular rotation to stay.

Ingredients for eggplant lasagna

Eggplant lasagna is a gluten-free version of lasagna that swaps the noodles for roasted lasagna. It’s similar to a classic Eggplant Parmesan, but skips the breading breading on the eggplant. You’ll slice the eggplant into planks, then use that for layering with the marinara and three-cheese filling. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

  • Eggplant
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic
  • Butter
  • Crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce
  • Fresh thyme
  • Dried basil, dried tarragon, ground nutmeg, and kosher salt
  • Cornstarch
  • Lemon zest
  • Ricotta, Parmesan and mozzarella cheese
Eggplant Lasagna

The tricks to eggplant lasagna

The biggest issue with lasagna recipes without noodles like eggplant lasagna is that eggplant is 90% water. Raw eggplant would make the dish into a watery mess! So there are a few tricks to making eggplant lasagna with the perfect consistency:

  • Roast the eggplant. This cooks out a significant amount of the water, making for the perfect tender consistency. You’ll roast at 425°F for about 25 minutes total.
  • Thicken the tomato sauce with cornstarch. This is another preventative measure! Adding a little cornstarch makes an even thicker tomato sauce with less water.
  • Let the lasagna cool for 15 minutes to set. Right out of the oven, there may be a little moisture. Let the lasagna sit and cool, which lets it absorb any remaining moisture.
Eggplant Lasagna Recipe

A few flavor secrets

This eggplant lasagna tastes restaurant-quality with just a few special items to make the ingredients sing! We recommend making the recipe with each of these ingredients:

  • Ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese: Using three types of cheese brings a nuance in flavor. Use whole milk mozzarella if you can find it: it melts better than part-skim cheese.
  • Homemade tarragon tomato sauce: You could use store-bought marinara sauce in a pinch, but this tomato sauce is incredible! Substitute oregano if you don’t have dried tarragon.
  • Lemon zest and fresh thyme: These bring a zing and freshness that’s absolutely essential to the flavors.

Make ahead & leftover storage for eggplant lasagna

This eggplant lasagna recipe takes about 45 minutes to prepare, 30 minutes to bake, and 15 minutes to rest. So, it’s not a recipe for a quick weeknight meal! However, there are a few thing you can do to prep this recipe in advance.

  • Roast the eggplant in advance. One of the biggest time savers is roasting the noodles ahead of time. Roast and then refrigerate until the time of baking. They will accumulate moisture in the fridge, so pat them dry before assembling.
  • Make the tomato sauce in advance. It’s easy to let the tomato sauce simmer while you preheat the oven. But you can make it in advance too! Just refrigerate until serving: the flavor gets better over time.
  • Or, make the entire pan in advance! Leftovers store well; they can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in a 375°F oven.
Eggplant Lasagna Recipe

More eggplant recipes

This eggplant lasagna is one of our favorite new ways to use eggplant! Here are a few other eggplant recipes to try:

This eggplant lasagna recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free.

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Eggplant Lasagna

Eggplant Lasagna


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Rest time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 9 pieces

Description

This eggplant lasagna recipe layers eggplant, homemade marinara, and a flavorful three-cheese filling! It’s a hearty dinner that pleases everyone.


Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes, fire roasted if possible
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce, fire roasted if possible
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried tarragon (or oregano)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch (or arrowroot starch)
  • 1 3/4 pounds eggplant (2 medium)
  • 2 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon
  • 16 ounces (2 cups) ricotta cheese
  • ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 2 cups (7 ounces) shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat: Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. Roast the eggplant: Slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch slices (at least 12 planks; don’t worry if they vary in size). Place the slices on two parchment-lined baking sheets and brush each side with them with olive oil. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided across the 2 trays. Roast for 10 minutes, then flip and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, until tender and golden brown.
  3. Prepare the sauce: Mince the garlic. Add the butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat: once melted, add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Turn down the heat and carefully add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, tarragon, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Remove ¼ cup of the sauce and stir it with the cornstarch, then add it back to the pan (this helps to thicken the sauce). Simmer while making the remainder of the recipe, at least 15 minutes. When ready to use, remove the pan from the heat.
  4. Meanwhile, prepare the cheese filling: Destem the thyme, then roughly chop the leaves. Add 2 tablespoons thyme to a medium bowl and reserve about ½ tablespoon for topping the lasagna. To the bowl, add the lemon zest, ricotta cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, nutmeg, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Stir to combine.
  5. Turn down the oven: Turn down the heat to 375°F.
  6. Assemble the lasagna: In a 9” x 9” baking dish or 7 x 11 baking dish (or similar volume dish), spread a ½ cup tomato sauce on the bottom of the pan. Then top with 1 layer of the eggplant, half of the cheese mixture (in dollops) and about ½ cup of the tomato sauce, using a spatula to spread the sauce evenly over the cheese. Repeat again, topping with 1 layer of eggplant, the remaining cheese mixture, and ½ cup of the remaining tomato sauce. Finally, top with a final layer of eggplant, then another ½ cup tomato sauce. Sprinkle the entire top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and ½ tablespoon fresh thyme.
  7. Bake the lasagna: Bake the lasagna for 30 minutes, uncovered. Let stand for at least 15 minutes before serving (this allows the lasagna to set; you can let it sit even longer if desired). Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in a 375°F oven.
  • Category: Main dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Eggplant lasagna, Eggplant lasagna recipe, recipe for eggplant lasagna

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

These Stuffed Bell Peppers are a classic comfort food that’s hearty, filling, has incredible flavors, and can easily feed a large family.

The post Stuffed Bell Peppers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Stuffed Bell Peppers have been a huge favorite of mine since my aunt first made them for me many many years ago. At the time it seemed like such an elaborate, fancy recipe, but who knew they were really this simple to make! It’s a classic comfort food recipe that’s hearty, filling, easy to customize, and can feed a large family. Plus the flavors in this version are incredibly delicious! So much so that we’re still talking about it over a month later! ;)

Close up side view of stuffed bell peppers in a casserole dish garnished with parsley.

What’s in Stuffed Bell Peppers?

There are several versions of stuffed bell peppers out there and most usually include ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and cheese. I got a little creative with this recipe as I wanted it to be simple to make, but still have tons of flavor! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Bell Peppers: I used different colors of bell peppers because I love how colorful and vibrant they look, but if you’re working with a tight budget you can certainly just use all green bell peppers instead.
  • Italian Sausage: Italian sausage instead of ground beef for an extra boost of flavor. But you can use ground beef, ground turkey or even Italian turkey sausage if you like.
  • Onion and garlic: These two ingredients produce a great combination of aromatics to help flavor the sausage and rice.
  • Seasoning: A simple mix of Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder is all you’ll need. If you want an extra kick, you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes too!
  • Marinara sauce: Instead of adding a can of tomatoes or tomato sauce, I used marinara sauce. It’s tomatoes with extra herbs & spices all in one…aka more flavor!
  • Long grain white rice: The rice helps bulk up the filling for the bell peppers. In this recipe the rice is cooked in the same skillet as the meat filling. It gives the rice a ton of flavor and let’s be honest…who wants to clean more dishes by cooking a separate pot of rice? Not me!
  • Chicken broth: Broth is used to help cook the rice and it provides even more flavor of course!
  • Shredded Mozzarella: And mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top for a gooey, tasty finish!

Should I cook the bell peppers first?

I definitely suggest par-cooking the bell peppers first, just a little bit before stuffing them. Not only does this help to soften the bell peppers, but it also cuts down on your cook time. As the bell peppers are cooking you can make the filling, shaving off about 20 minutes from your total cook time.

Budget Saving Tips!

Here are a few tips to help you stretch your money when making Stuffed Bell Peppers:

  1. Use the green bell peppers! Although it makes for a colorful final dish when you use red, yellow or orange bell peppers, these colors often cost a little bit more. You can just buy all green bell peppers instead and save some coins.
  2. Cut a 4th bell pepper in half and stretch the filling out to make 8 servings instead of 6. Trust me..we stuffed these bell peppers quite a bit, but you could totally stretch the filling if you wanted to.
  3. If you want to just use 1/2 a pound of sausage, that works too! Just add an additional 1/2 cup of rice and 3/4 cup of broth to what is listed in the recipe below, to increase the filling and make up the difference.
  4. Feel free to use ground beef instead if it’s cheaper than the Italian sausage at your local store. You may need to add a bit more seasoning to make up for the flavor you would get in the sausage though.
Overhead view of 6 stuffed bell peppers in a white casserole dish.

What to serve with Stuffed Bell Peppers

The filling inside each of these stuffed bell peppers are pretty hearty by themselves, but if you want to serve something with it on the side, they would also be great with a simple salad or some crusty garlic bread. If you want to double down on the veggies, you can also serve these with some roasted broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a side of simple sautéed vegetables.

Storing & Reheating

Got leftovers? No problem! These stuffed bell peppers hold up very well in the refrigerator stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. They can be reheated in the microwave or the oven and the leftovers taste just as good the next day, making them perfect for meal prep!

Close up side view of stuffed bell peppers on a serving plate.
Overhead close up view of stuffed bell peppers on a serving plate.
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Stuffed Bell Peppers

These Stuffed Bell Peppers are a classic comfort food that’s hearty, filling, has incredible flavors, and can easily feed a large family.
Course Dinner
Total Cost $12.21 recipe / $2.03 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 454kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 bell peppers $3.97
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil, divided $0.08
  • 1 lb Italian sausage $4.99
  • 1 yellow onion, diced $0.38
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced $0.24
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning $0.10
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt, divided $0.06
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 1 cup marinara sauce $0.71
  • 1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice $0.21
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth $0.15
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella $1.25

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Wash and dry each bell pepper, then cut the bell peppers in half horizontally. Make sure to cut them as evenly as possible. Using a sharp paring knife carefully cut and remove the stem from the top half of each bell pepper (see picture below). It's okay if there is a small hole left where the stem was removed.
  • Place each bell pepper half in a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Brush the bell peppers with 1 Tbsp oil and season with ¼ tsp of salt and ¼ tsp cracked black pepper. Bake the bell peppers in a preheated oven for 20 minutes to soften. After 20 minutes remove the bell peppers from the oven and set aside.
  • While the bell peppers are baking, make the filling. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp of oil. Brown the Italian sausage.
  • Once the sausage has browned, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Continue to sauté over medium heat until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
  • Next add the uncooked rice, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 tsp of salt, and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to combine.
  • Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and allow the mixture to come to a full boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer, without lifting the lid or stirring, for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn the heat off and let it rest, without lifting the lid, for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Next remove the lid, fluff the rice, and stir the mixture again to redistribute the ingredients. Begin to fill each bell pepper with the meat filling. Stuff as much filling as you can into each, filling them all the way to the top.
  • Top each bell pepper evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Loosely place some tented aluminum foil over the top of the casserole dish and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes the bell peppers should be tender but not mushy.
  • Now remove the foil and turn the heat on to broil. Broil the stuffed bell peppers for 2-3 minutes or just until the cheese gets a little brown on top. Be sure to watch the bell peppers closely at this step to prevent the cheese from over browning. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 6servings | Calories: 454kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 33g | Sodium: 1461mg | Fiber: 3g

How to Make STUFFED BELL PEPPERS – Step by Step Photos

Bell peppers cut in half and placed in a casserole dish. One bell pepper lifted up towards the camera.

Preheat the oven to 350°F then wash and dry 3 bell peppers. Cut the bell peppers in half horizontally, yes horizontally. Most stuffed bell pepper recipes either keep the bell peppers whole or cut them vertically, but by cutting them horizontally you end up with a flatter bottom service and it’s easier to stuff. Trust me! Make sure to cut them as evenly as possible. Using a sharp pairing knife carefully cut and remove the stem from the top half of each bell pepper. It’s okay if there is a small hole left where the stem was removed.

Bell peppers being brushed with olive oil.

Place each bell pepper half in a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Brush the bell peppers with 1 Tbsp cooking oil, divided between all 6 halves, and season with ¼ tsp of salt and ¼ tsp cracked black pepper, also divided between all 6 halves. Bake the bell peppers in a preheated oven for 20 minutes to soften. After 20 minutes remove them from the oven and set aside.

Cooked Italian sausage in a large skillet.

While the bell peppers are baking, make the filling. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp of oil. Add 1 lb Italian sausage and cook until brown.

Cooked Italian sausage with onions and garlic.

Once the sausage has browned, add the 1 diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Continue to sauté over medium heat until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

Cooked sausage, rice, marinara, seasoning and chicken broth.

Next add ½ cup uncooked white rice, 1 cup of marinara sauce, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp of salt, and ¾ cups chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to combine. Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and allow the mixture to come to a full boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer, without lifting the lid or stirring, for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn the heat off and let it rest, without lifting the lid, for an additional 5 minutes.

Cooked stuffed bell pepper filling.

Next remove the lid, fluff the rice, and stir the mixture again to redistribute the ingredients. Begin to fill each bell pepper with the sausage and rice mixture. Stuff as much filling as you can into each, filling them all the way to the top.

Overhead view of stuffed bell peppers with mozzarella cheese being added on top.

Divide 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each bell pepper evenly. Loosely place some tented aluminum foil over the top of the casserole dish and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

Overhead view of finished stuffed bell peppers in a casserole dish.

After 15 minutes, remove the foil and turn the heat to broil. Broil the stuffed bell peppers for 2-3 minutes or just until the cheese gets a little brown on top. Be sure to watch the bell peppers closely at this step to prevent the cheese from getting too brown. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and enjoy!

Overhead shot of stuffed bell peppers topped with mozzarella cheese and fresh parsley. Served in a white casserole dish.

The post Stuffed Bell Peppers appeared first on Budget Bytes.